Tools and systems (like communication boards or speech devices) used to supplement or replace verbal speech.

When food or liquid enters the airway instead of the esophagus.

Difficulty understanding and processing sounds, even with normal hearing.

A motor planning disorder where the brain struggles to send signals for speech movements.

How speech sounds are physically formed using the tongue, lips, and palate.

Tools that assist with independence (e.g., grabbers, sock aids, button hooks).

The amount of time someone can concentrate on a task.

Coordination terms: the primary mover, its opposite, and supporting muscles

This refers to moving a body part, such as an arm or leg, away from the midline of the body. An example of this motion is spreading your arms and legs outward while doing a snow angel.

These are routine activities necessary for personal care, such as eating, dressing, bathing, and grooming.

A client’s starting skill level, used to measure therapy progress.

Personal care tasks: bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting.

Using both sides of the body together.

The ability to stay steady and not fall, even when moving.

The part of the body touching the ground that helps with stability, like the feet while standing.

Changing habits or actions to help reduce pain or prevent injuries.

Something that involves both sides of the body, such as both arms or both legs.

A way to examine how the body moves to find areas of weakness, misalignment, or strength, which can help improve function and prevent injuries.

A crack or break in a bone that can range from a small split to a complete break.

Swelling or irritation of the small fluid-filled sacs in the joints, often caused by repeated movements or overuse.

A repetitive sentence structure used to support expressive language (e.g., “I want…”).

Verbal or physical prompts to support speech or language production.

Problems with attention, memory, organization, reasoning, or problem-solving that impact communication.

Therapy tailored to a person’s unique values and goals.

Tools or techniques to manage stress or emotional difficulties.

Workarounds for limitations (e.g., using a checklist due to memory issues).

Exercises to restore thinking skills after brain injury.

Mental processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Exercises where distal segment (hand/foot) is fixed (e.g., squats)

Application of pressure to control swelling or stabilize anatomy

Difficulty swallowing safely and efficiently.

The ability to hear and distinguish between similar sounds.

Weak or poorly coordinated muscles used for speech, resulting in slurred or slow speech.

A developmental coordination disorder affecting motor planning.

The exact day, month, and year when a surgical procedure occurred.

A condition where muscles have less resistance to movement, which may lead to unstable joints and muscle weakening.

An abnormal structure or shape within the body.

The capability to move one limb separately from another.

Describes something located farther away from the center or midline of the body.

Refers to movement and activity, as opposed to being still or static.

Speech therapy services provided to children from birth to age 3.

The ability to use words, phrases, and sentences to communicate.

Adjusting posture or environment to reduce strain during tasks.

Adjusting a space for better safety or independence (e.g., grab bars in a bathroom).

Techniques to reduce fatigue during daily activities.

Skills for planning, organizing, sequencing, and self-monitoring.

Upward (e.g., shoulder shrug) and downward motion of a body part

When a muscle contracts while lengthening, such as during the lowering phase of a bicep curl.

A therapy technique that uses electrical impulses to contract muscles, reduce pain, and enhance function.

The ability to sustain physical activity or effort over a period of time without significant fatigue.

A neurodevelopmental disorder is a condition that affects how the brain develops and functions, often impacting behavior, learning, communication, and motor skills. These disorders typically appear early in childhood and can affect a person’s ability to grow, learn, and interact with others. Common neurodevelopmental disorders include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, and intellectual disabilities. Early diagnosis and intervention—such as therapy, structured support, and sensory integration strategies—can significantly improve outcomes for individuals with neurodevelopmental challenges.

Communication that meets real-life needs and promotes independence.

Small, precise movements (e.g., buttoning a shirt).

various walker and cane types

Small and precise movements that use smaller muscle groups, such as those required for activities like writing or typing.

The bending of a body part, like bending the elbow to bring the hand closer to the mouth. This reduces the angle between two bones at a joint.

Movements that help improve balance, strength, and coordination to support everyday tasks.

Exercises that build strength and skills necessary for daily life activities.

Larger movements involving limbs and trunk (e.g., climbing stairs).

A condition where the knees angle outward, often referred to as "bow-legged."

A therapy method used to loosen tight soft tissue and break down scar tissue in the body.

Large-scale physical movements that require significant muscle coordination, such as walking or jumping.

The pattern or style of walking.

A condition where the knees angle inward, often called "knock-kneed."

Muscles at the back of the thigh that bend the knee and extend the hip.

A record of past symptoms or medical conditions.

A set of PT-prescribed exercises for practicing at home.

Lying on the back with knees bent and feet flat on the ground.

Moving the arms away from the body horizontally.

When a joint moves beyond its normal range.

Excessive extension movement of a joint.

Increased muscle tone causing stiffness or tightness.

Reduced joint movement due to tightness or structural issues.

Decreased muscle tone causing floppiness.

More complex daily activities: cooking, managing finances, shopping, cleaning.

Adjusting an object within the hand without external support.

Muscle resistance that is higher than normal, often resulting in stiffness.

A challenge in maintaining balance or control, which can sometimes cause falls.

The inward turning of a joint toward the center of the body, such as when crossing the arms over the chest.

An exercise where muscles are engaged and contract without producing any movement, such as pushing against a stationary object.

Passive movement applied to a joint to reduce stiffness and enhance motion

The place where two or more bones meet, allowing movement.

The ability to sense body movements, including direction and speed, through signals from joints.

A curving of the spine that creates a rounded appearance in the upper back; excessive kyphosis leads to a very pronounced curve.

When a child develops language skills more slowly than typical peers.

Understanding spoken language.

A type of tissue that connects one bone to another.

An injury occurring to a ligament, often caused by stretching or tearing.

An inward curvature of the spine, noticeable in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions.

A sitting position where the legs are extended straight out in front.

Related to the lower back area of the body.

The section of the spine located in the lower back, consisting of five lumbar vertebrae.

Words that differ by only one sound (e.g., “bat” vs. “pat”) used to teach sound contrasts.

Demonstrating a correct response or behavior for the client to imitate.

Special texture or thickness of food/drink (e.g., pureed, thickened liquids).

Tools like chunking or repetition to help with memory during conversation.

Being present and aware, often used in mental health-focused OT.

The amount of tension or resistance in a resting muscle.

Ability to plan and execute new motor tasks.

A physical therapy technique where the therapist uses their hands to move a specific body part.

A treatment that focuses on massaging and manipulating muscles and soft tissues to relieve tension or pain.

An imaginary line that divides the body into equal left and right halves.

A medical specialty centered on diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

A physical therapist with advanced training and expertise in rehabilitating neurological conditions.

A condition where no weight can be placed on a specific limb, often required after surgery or injury.

Activities to strengthen muscles used for speaking and swallowing.

Expected duties in someone's life (e.g., parent, worker, student).

How well someone performs in their roles and routines.

Distal segment is free (e.g., seated knee extension)

External supportive device (e.g., brace, splint)

Pertains to correcting or treating deformities and issues involving muscles and bones.

A branch of physical therapy focused on addressing injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints.

A condition or state where something is tilted or slanted.

The social use of language, like taking turns, staying on topic, or using appropriate tone.

The rules for how sounds are organized and used in a language.

Using play as a medium for therapeutic intervention in children.

Prior Level of Function

Combined stretching and muscle contraction technique

The ability to apply a specific amount of weight through a limb, but not the full body weight. For example, 50% weight bearing means only half of the body weight can be placed on the injured limb, often requiring the use of an assistive device to alleviate the remaining weight.

A physical therapist with expertise in the rehabilitation and care of children.

A group of muscles that provide support to the organs in the pelvis.

A condition commonly referred to as flat feet.

A therapeutic discipline that focuses on helping individuals recover from physical impairments through methods such as exercise, massage, heat therapy, and other non-surgical and non-medicinal treatments. This often includes working on skills like transfers, walking, and stair climbing in a rehabilitation setting.

Quad Sets / Glut Sets

A group of muscles located at the front of the thigh that is responsible for straightening the knee.

A type of walking aid similar to a standard cane but designed with a base that has four points of contact on the ground. This provides more stability and support, often used by individuals recovering from conditions like strokes or those with significant mobility challenges.

The ability to understand words and language.

An automatic or involuntary response to a stimulus.

A detailed plan that outlines the stages of exercises and movements following an injury or surgery to ensure safe recovery.

A structured physical therapy plan aimed at recovery and improving function after an injury or surgery.

A common method used to treat minor injuries such as sprains or strains by reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation.

A sitting posture where a person sits upright on the buttocks with the legs positioned to form a circular shape in front, rather than being crossed.

Movement of a joint or limb performed by a physical therapist or device without any effort from the person.

A long-term inflammatory autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints, leading to symptoms like pain, stiffness, swelling, and joint damage.

The extent a joint can move in specific directions, often measured in degrees (e.g., bending or straightening).

A condition where a joint, often the knee, bends backward beyond its normal range.

Formal testing to measure speech or language skills compared to peers.

How clearly a person’s speech can be understood by others.

Difficulty using language in social situations, often seen in individuals with autism.

Disruptions in the flow of speech, such as repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.

The meaning of words and phrases.

The structure and order of words in a sentence.

Engaging in meaningful interaction with others in social settings.

Ability to manage emotions, behavior, and attention.

Difficulty managing sensory input (over or under-responsiveness).

The therapist’s intentional use of personality and communication to support the client.

Breaking down a task into smaller, manageable steps.

Aversion or discomfort to certain textures or light touch.

Delivery of PT services remotely via video or digital tools

A condition involving inflammation of a tendon.

Related to the upper back area of the body.

The portion of the spine located in the upper back, made up of 12 thoracic vertebrae.

Refers to performing an activity or action, like an exercise or stretch, three times within a 24-hour period.

A surgical procedure, commonly called a hip replacement, where a damaged hip joint is replaced with an artificial one.

The natural level of tension present in a muscle when it is at rest.

A medical imaging technique that uses sound waves to create pictures of internal organs, tissues, or structures.

A therapeutic treatment that uses sound waves to enhance blood circulation.

Occurring or affecting only one side of the body.

An exercise machine focused on the upper body that measures and controls arm cycling speed and resistance.

Coordinating vision with body movements (e.g., hand-eye coordination).

How the brain interprets visual information.

Stimulation of the inner ear structures (the vestibular apparatus) that helps the body sense movement, acceleration, and overall positioning in space.

The system in the body that controls balance and the sense of spatial orientation.

The individual bones that stack to form the spinal column, providing support and structure to the back.

Trouble retrieving specific words when speaking.

The act of putting weight on limbs, such as during standing or walking.

Allowing weight to be placed on a specific body part, like a leg, as much as is comfortable without causing excessive pain.

The permitted level of weight that can be supported by a specific part of the body, often following an injury or surgery.

Moving body weight from one side to another or in different directions, like side-to-side or forward and backward.

A mobility device with wheels designed to assist individuals with balance difficulties in moving safely.